Selecting & Evaluating Directories


With the wealth of directories available to users, how do you choose ones to build the best possible reference collection for your library? Below are some key factors to keep in mind when selecting and evaluating directories.


A few things to consider during the selection process:
  • Community served
  • The location of the library
  • The kinds of reference questions asked
  • The number of questions in a particular subject area
  • Other collections in the local area
  • The library’s budget and the cost of the directories

A few things to consider during the evaluation process:
  • Scope (Who or what is the focus? Is it relevant to your library user?)
  • Currency (How often is the content updated? Does it provide most current information available?)
  • Accuracy (Is the content accurate and reliable?)
  • Format (How is the content arranged? Is it easy to use?)


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